SIUE Celebrates 100 Years of Black History with Full Calendar of Culture and Community

SIUE Celebrates 100 Years of Black History with Full Calendar of Culture and Community

This February, the United States tradition of recognizing Black history during the second month of the year turns 100 years old. In 1926, historian and educator Carter G. Woodson, PhD, founded Negro History Week to celebrate African American achievements on a national scale. Decades later, educators proposed expanding the week to Black History Month, which was formally recognized by President Gerald Ford on February 10, 1976. Now in the centennial year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues its annual celebration with this year's theme, "Keeping it 100: Commemorating a Century of Black History."

"We're excited to kickoff Black Heritage Month by celebrating the contributions made by Black, African and African Americans. Attendees will get to enjoy crafts, desserts, Motown's influence, and thanks to our Lovejoy partners, we'll have a mini exhibit of the SIUE's Black History including archival material about Black Student Union's founding, Katherine Dunham, and Rudolph G. 'Rudy' Wilson," said Trevy Augustin of Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub.

Opening events of the month-long celebration begin with "Moving Through Motown," which includes a dance workshop led by Brandon V. Riley, PhD, assistant professor of SIUE Theater and Dance. All are welcome to learn the cultural significance and choreography of Motown hits at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2 in the Legacy Room in Morris University Center.

Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub and partnering organizations have curated a packed schedule which include a Black Business Expo, author talks, card making for elders, a performance from the Black Theatre Workshop, community dialogues, a celebrity lookalike contest, the documentary screening of "I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots," and more.

PHOTO: Promotional flyer for SIUE Black History Month opening event